Cartoonist Darrin Bell Arrested on Child Porn Charges

Darrin Bell, a 49-year-old Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist, was arrested in Sacramento, California, on charges of possessing and creating child pornography, including AI-generated material. His arrest followed a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, which led investigators to discover 134 videos of child sexual abuse linked to Bell's account. The Sacramento Valley Internet Crimes Against Children unit executed a search warrant at his home, recovering both traditional and AI-generated child pornography. This case marks the first arrest in Sacramento related to the new law that criminalizes AI-generated child sexual abuse material, which took effect on January 1, 2025. Bell, known for his works 'Candorville' and 'Rudy Park,' was awarded the Pulitzer Prize in 2019 for his impactful editorial cartoons. He is currently held on $1 million bail, with a court appearance scheduled soon.